This blog features observations from Randy Turner, a former teacher, newspaper reporter and editor. Send news items or comments to rturner229@hotmail.com

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Graves: Thanks to the men and women who have served this country

(From Sixth District Congressman Sam Graves)

By the afternoon of November 11, 1918, the cratered fields and trenches of the Western Front had fallen silent. The First World War—the war that many Americans thought would be the last—was finally over.

Over 100,000 Americans gave their lives in the Great War, and many more were wounded. In the aftermath of the Allied victory, nations around the world moved to commemorate the sacrifices made by these brave individuals.

Here in the U.S., President Woodrow Wilson declared November 11 Armistice Day. But following the Second World War, returning veterans campaigned to transform Armistice Day into Veterans Day so that we might recognize those who served in all of America’s wars. Congress agreed and in 1954, President Eisenhower signed Veterans Day into law.

As Americans, we pride ourselves knowing that the place we call home is the greatest and most prosperous nation this world has ever known. But the foundations of freedom laid by our Founding Fathers would not have endured without the sacrifices of soldiers in wars past and present.

Today, we reflect on those sacrifices from friends, neighbors, and family members. I would like to join all Americans as we thank the men and women who serve – and have served – so that America can indeed remain the greatest nation the world has ever known.

About Me

I am a former teacher in the Joplin and Diamond, Missouri, school districts. Before entering the teaching field, I spent 22 years as a reporter and editor for various Southwest Missouri newspapers. I have published three novels, Small Town News, Devil's Messenger, and No Child Left Alive, and seven non-fiction books, The Turner Report, Newspaper Days, Silver Lining in a Funnel Cloud, Greed, Corruption, and the Joplin Tornado, 5:41: Stories from the Joplin Tornado, Spirit of Hope: The Year After the Joplin Tornado, Scars from the Tornado and Let Teachers Teach.

TURNER REPORT PRIVACY POLICY

This blog does not share personal information with third parties nor do I store any information about your visit to this blog other than to analyze and optimize your content and reading experience through the use of cookies.

You can turn off the use of cookies at anytime by changing your specific browser settings.

I am not responsible for republished content from this blog on other blogs or websites without my permission.

This privacy policy is subject to change without notice and was last updated on May 10, 2014. If you have any questions feel free to contact me directly at rturner229@hotmail.com